Traditional healing practices of the Sonowal Kachari community in Assam have been documented in a new study that records 39 medicinal plants used to treat common and chronic ailments. The findings show the scientific value of indigenous knowledge and the need to preserve it before it is lost.
Study and Community Profile
The research was carried out in Lakhimpur district of Assam among the Sonowal Kachari, an indigenous tribal community with a long tradition of forest-based healing. Researchers interviewed 180 tribal elders aged 50 years and above between April 2022 and November 2023. The study was published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.
Medicinal Plants Recorded
The study documented plant-based remedies for fever, dysentery, cough, skin diseases, stomach disorders, arthritis, kidney stones and burns. Some key plants identified were:
- Acorus calamus for cough and fever.
- Aegle marmelos, or bael, for dysentery.
- Aloe vera for burns and skin diseases.
- Azadirachta indica, or neem, for infections.
- Bryophyllum pinnatum for kidney stones.
Other recorded plants included Bacopa monnieri, Andrographis paniculata, Cassia tora and Cinnamomum tamala. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part, followed by roots, fruits and flowers. Most remedies used herbs, though trees, climbers and shrubs were also included.
Scientific and Public Health Significance
Experts note that traditional medicinal knowledge can support drug discovery if examined systematically. Many modern medicines have originated from plants first used in folk healing systems. The study also reinforces the role of herbal medicine in primary healthcare, especially in rural areas where access to modern treatment may be limited.
Need for Preservation and Validation
The researchers warned that this knowledge is declining due to social change, deforestation and reduced interest among younger generations. They stressed the need for documentation, scientific validation and conservation of indigenous medicinal practices. Such efforts can help preserve biodiversity-linked knowledge and may lead to safer, effective future therapies.
Last Modified: April 29, 2026